TRANMERE manager Brian Little has the full backing of his players, insists veteran midfielder Mark Rankine.

Without a win in seven games, Rovers have slipped into the bottom five in League One.

Yet team spirit during this testing period remains high - testimony to Little's managerial skills, says Rankine.

"We can't speak highly enough of the manager," stressed the 36-year-old. "He has been great. He has been bubbly and the training has been as good as ever.

"The training ground spirit has been great. That is why I believe, as an experienced player, that we are not far off getting it right. It's when the spirit goes that you know you are far away."

Rankine believes each player must get their individual form right before the club can begin moving up the table.

"I don't think I have played as well as I did last season, " he confessed. " I have not been dominating games as much. I have to get myself back up to that standard. As a senior player I have to ask more of myself.

"The other senior players will say the same - that until you get your individual form right then collectively you will not be as good as last year."

Tranmere will look to get back to winning ways tomorrow at Bristol City, another side tipped for promotion in pre-season but who now find themselves struggling for points at the wrong end of the table.

Rankine said: "It is a big game for both sides. We need to go there, be strong and come away from the game with something. All matches are hard when you are scratching for form, but we know we are good enough to go to places like Bristol and get a result.

"The pleasing thing is that the lads are still bubbling and working really hard in training. We know we are only a win away from pulling up the table. We are very positive as a group of players."

Captain Jason McAteer is suspended for tomorrow's game, but Gareth Roberts is expected to be fit after recovering from a groin strain.

Meanwhile, Bristol City's preparations have been severely disrupted following the arrest of first team players Bradley Orr, Dave Partridge and Scott Brown after an incident at a Bristol night club in the early hours of Wednesday.

The three, released on police bail, will not feature against Tranmere.

City manager Gary Johnson said: "I will deal with any breach of discipline with a heavy hand and I do not consider them to be in the right frame of mind to be considered."

The Robins are also sweating on the fitness of leading scorer Steve Brooker, who is battling a groin injury.